Mikel Arteta's concerns over Gabriel Jesus playing into summer transfer plans
Gabriel Jesus has been nursing a knee injury during Arsenal’s title charge.
Gunners striker Jesus was back and on the bench for Arsenal ’s win over Newcastle but they did not put him on. That means Jesus has missed Arsenal’s last five games because Mikel Arteta has admitted there has been an issue with fluid around the Brazil star’s knee.
It has been a recurring theme for Jesus who has been plagued by injuries during his time at the Emirates and may also play into the reason why Arsenal will look for another centre forward this summer. Arsenal are long term admirers for Brentford striker Ivan Toney and the England international does have a good injury record which may be important.
Toney is unlikely to be their only option as a new No9 this summer and Arsenal will be reluctant to be drawn into a bidding war. But that centre forward position plus midfield and a winger are the areas where Arsenal are likely to strengthen.
However, Arsenal are now hoping that Jesus’s rest will mean he is able to play a full part in the club’s title run-in and also their push for the Champions League. Brazil FA chiefs also hope he will be fit to join up for an international camp next month.
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Arteta has backed Jesus to provide the goals Arsenal need to challenge for major honours but he has scored just eight times in all competitions in this injury-hit season. Arsenal have covered his absence in recent weeks by using Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz up front, though neither player is considered a long-term option in the No.9 role.
But Arsenal's decision not to panic buy in the January transfer window has arguably been justified by the team's return of 25 goals in their last six league games, with 10 different scorers. After netting against Burnley, Havertz said: “We keep being focused because I know you [reporters] after one game without five goals you’re gonna write we need a striker.
Brentford's Ivan Toney is a potential option for Arsenal this summer (Alex Pantling)“So we just work hard, enjoy ourselves on the pitch and that’s what we did today. We all trust ourselves and we know what quality we all have. We have to give trust to each other and that’s what we’ve done.
“It’s not only because of the strikers that you don’t score goals, defenders can score goals for us. That’s so important.”
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